Maruti Suzuki Dzire: The Maruti Suzuki Dzire is a shining example of how a car can travel from being a shortened hatchback to an entity so individual, it defies its origins.
The Dzire has been the car that has redefined the compact sedan segment from the day it was launched back in 2008 and has been one of the top-selling passenger cars in the country ever since, setting a trend that everyone else in the business has been trying to follow.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Evolution Through Generations
Starting life as the Swift Dzire, basically a Swift with a boot, it has evolved into an independent vehicle with no ‘Swift’ in its name from the third-generation model.
This development follows Maruti Suzuki’s acceptance of the model’s unique identity and market positioning.
Its current generation, which saw the light of day in 2017, was updated in 2020 and sports a design rooted in what the company calls ‘balance of proportions’ in spite of its sub-4-meter length to stay under the tax limit in India.
Unlike other rivals that end up looking as if they were amalgamated visually, the Dzire does look like it fits the bill with its balanced proportions suitably silhouetted.
Design Style: Simple yet elegant
The Dzire’s exteriors are the testament of change for Maruti Suzuki where they are moving to more premium looks. Up front is a wide chrome-laden grille that is accompanied by projector headlamps on with projector headlamps with LED DRL’s on the higher spec.
From the side the graceful roofline is accented by the wheels, which aren’t over-sized just precisely cut alloys to add to the visual appeal.
At the back, wraparound tail lamps tied in by a chrome strip give a feeling of width and the shaping to the bumper stops what could be an aesthetically ‘fat’ section from being so.
On the whole, the design quite effectively hides the engineering compromises that are mandatory in the sub-4-meter sedan segment.
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Powering it is the same K-series petrol engine from Maruti Suzuki which has now been strapped by a bigger battery and an electric motor to give it a combined output of 90bhp and 113nm of torque.
Featuring four valves per cylinder, the double-injected, counterbalanced engine delivers the largest displacement in the class and the most low-mid output.
And you get an option to choose between either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an AGS (auto gear shift) or AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) in Maruti-speak.
And then there’s a factory-fitted CNG option for those for whom cost of running becomes paramount with a minor drop in power, of course.
Cabin: Punching Above Its Cabin Weight
Open the door to the Dzire’s cabin and the sense you get is of a car that’s punching well above its weight.
The dual-tone dash comes with a 7-inch SmartPlay Studio system, flat-bottom steering with mounted controls, automatic climate control system and wood-finish inserts that lends it a subtle touch of premiumness.
Cram it all inTheres a lot of inside space for a small car. The front chairs are well bolstered for extended trips, and the flat rear bench can hold three large adults in some fairness of comfort.
For legs there is more than enough space, up there with cars the next size up, but width is an issue with all seats taken.
There’s lots of practical storage with pockets in the doors that will take a 1-liter bottle, a big glovebox, a centre console box, and an armrest in the rear with its built-in cupholders. The 378-litre bootspace will easily swallow a family’s weekend luggage.
Safety Framework
Safety kit comprises, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors and reverse parking sensors offered as standard on all trims.
The upper variants receive a rear parking camera, and rear defogger with wiper. The car is Indian crash test norms compliant and gives occupants basic safety.
Ownership Advantages
Beyond its buying cost, Dzire offers an ownership proposition. Maruti Suzuki’s vast service network guarantees that your car is always taken care of, even in the back of beyond.
Its well-documented K-series engine runs trouble free to such an extent only minor mechanical hiccups arise during ownership.
Fuel efficiency is also said to be a strongpoint, with rated figures of up to 24.12kmpl in petrol and 32.12km/kg in CNG versions.
This combined with low maintenance cost, gives Dzire very cost effective running both for individual owners as well as fleet owners.
Market Position
The Dzire competes with cars like the Honda Amaze, Hyundai Aura and the Tata Tigor in the competitive compact sedan space.
But its real strengths are Maruti Suzuki’s well-established brand recall and rear price, as well as the car’s time-tested reliability and resale value.
Looking Forward
Electric mobility is the flavour of the season in automobiles and the Dzire will inevitably have to evolve around it, but not at the cost of the Dzire’s intrinsic promise of affordable and functional mobility.
Potential additions in the future could consist of a hybrid powertrain offering or better in-car connectivity but the value-for-money positioning that has made the Innova the success story that it is will continue.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire.refresh When launched, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire was no more than a Swift with a boot attached and you would more or less get it if you need all the features and practicality of a hatchback, but were forced to get a sedan.